Japanese Title:

Flower Action 009 No. 1 (Zero Zero Kunoichi)

Air Dates:

10/7/1969 – 12/30/1969; Tuesday, 8:00 – 8:56 PM

Number of Episodes:

12

Broadcast:

Fuji TV

Producer (s):

Shibuya Mikio, Murakami Koichi, Nishino Kozou

Original Screenplay:

Ishinomori Shoutaro (Adapted from the series in “Manga Action”)

Series Director (s):

Komatsu Norihide (Episode 1), Takemoto Hirokazu (Episodes 2,5,8,11), Yamada Minoru (Episodes 3, 6, 10), Shimazu Shoichi (Episodes 4,7), Eizaki Mio (Episode 9), Koyama Mikio (Episode 12), Takuji Katsuhiko (Episode 13)

Series Writer (s):

Ryu Katsuhiko, Lin Chan (Episode 1), Kawaichi Hiroshi (Episode 2), Tsuji Masaki (Episode 3), Shirai Kosei (Episode 4), Yamaura Hiroyasu (Episode 5), Saijou Michihiko, Yata Kinichi (Episode 6), Ozawa Kazuo, Shimazu Shoichi (Episode 7), Tamura Harumi, Oketani Goro (Episode 8), Tani Yoshio, Eizaki Mio (Episode 9), Yamazaki Tadaaki (Episode 10), Ishinomori Fumio, Wakai Motonari (Episode 11), Nakajima Sadao (Episode 12), Yamazaki Iwao,
Eizaki Mio (Episode 13).

Music:

Kobayashi Asei

Cinematography

Hayashi Shichiro, Tsubo Makoto, Seno Shu, Yoshida Shigenobu, Shizuka Akira

Sound

Iwata Koichi

Lighting

Yamazaki Koichi, Yamamoto Tatsuo, Sakai Nobuo, Omachi Hironobu, Morisawa Yoshiaki

Design

Hongo Hisanori, Kaneko Motoaki, Kawamura Harumichi, Honda Mamoru

Editing

Kozono Minoru, Suzuki Hiroshi

Recording

Ando Masae, Shizuka Fumi, Ozaka Akiko, Wada Hiroko, Kawamura Reiko, Fujisawa Sumiko, Yoshida Sayoko

Assis. Director

Kosuge Nobuo, Maekawa Hiroyuki, Hasegawa Hiroshi, Kiyomi Tokuzou, Shimazaki Kimio, Ueda Yasuo,

Acting Director

Nanajo Keizou

Supervision

Tsunohara Naoko

Costuming

Tokyo Ishou [Tokyo Clothing]

Fashion

Ginza-Mitsukoshi Young Fashion, “F-L” [Effel]

Produced by

Fuji TV; Toei

“Spade” (Kanai Katsuko), “Heart” (Yumi Kaoru), “Club” (Harada Shizu), "Dia” AKA Diamond (Daimi Yoshiko), and “Monkey” (Koumi Hayami) are the five women of ZERO ZERO KU NO ICHI, a "super secret" team of beautiful spies who are part of the Japan branch of the TRUMP organization, a secret international police agency dedicated to battling evil around the World and in Japan. The beautiful agents report directly to their boss , the magic trickster "Joker" (Hikita Tenko) and operate out of a small, "groovy pad" in the heart of Tokyo. Sometimes they need the assistance of the handsome "Jack" (Matsuyama Eitaro). Their most frequent nemesis is Mr. Suji (aka Mr. X) and his minions of the sinister criminal organization DARK SYNDICATE.

The title is play not only on Ishinomori’s own comic/anime “Cyborg 009” but is also a play on the word “Kunoichi” (Female Ninja). Thus the title suggests that they may be “female ninjas” as well as super spies.

Featured the singing/Go-Go dancing troupe collectively known as the “Nishino Bellet Dan Go Nin Musume” (The Five Gals of the Nishino Ballet Group).

Kanai Katsuko released a number of popular singles during the seventies including “Tanin No Kankei” [Love With A Stranger; 1973) and “Ningen Morou” (Human Condition; 1974). Kanai was born in the Japanese Occupied Territory of Tien Tzin in 1945. Joined the “Nishino Ballet Dan” Talent Agency in 1953. Got her big break as a regular on the NHK variety program “Uta No Grand Show” (The Grand Singing Show; 1964). It was there that she would meet the rest of the singers and dancers that would eventually form the “Nishino Bellet Dan Go Nin Musume”. After “Zero Zero Kunoichi”, Kanai went on to star in various Musicals and Stage Plays and also released a couple more singles.

Yumi Kaoru was born Nishitsuji Yumiko in the city of Kyoto in 1950. She enrolled in the “Nishino Ballet Dan” Talent Agency at the age of 12. At the age of 16, Yumi made her debut as a “Cover Girl” for the TV Asahi Program “11 PM”. Starred with Japanese Movie Icon, Ishihara Yujiro in the movie “Yoru No Bara O Kesu” (Extinguish The Night Rose; Nikkatsu, 1966). After “Zero Zero Kunoichi”, Yumi went on to star in a number of movies including the hit “Dosei Jidai” (Age of Equality; Shochiku, 1973) and “ESPY” (Toho; 1974). She later went on to star in the hit Jidaigeki “Mito Koumon” and has release several photo pictorials and dieting books. Yumi Kaoru also portrayed the heroine in the Toei female Detective series “Supergirl” (1980). In 1984, Yumi Kaoru was selected as a special consultant to the Ministry of Health and Welfare where she oversaw special programs promoting fitness and dieting.

Harada Itoko was born in 1949. Joined the “Nishino Ballet Dan” Talent Agency in her teens and soon distinguished herself as a member of the “Le Gals” (a dancing troupe affiliated with the “Nishino Ballet Dan”. Her tall stature and “enthusiastic” dance moves soon caught the attention of movie producers and she was cast in a couple of movies including the monster movie “Uchu Kaiju Kirara” aka X- From Outer Space (Shochiku; 1967). Shortly after “Zero Zero Kunoichi”, Harada soon married and retired from show business. Currently, she oversees a ceramic craft goods store called “Ajisa Gama”, where they specialize in flower vases, tableware and pottery items.

Nami Eiko was born in Japan’s Nara Prefecture in 1950. She joined the “Nishino Ballet Dan” at around the same time as Yumi Kaoru (both were 12 at the time). At 17 Nami made her singing debut with the single “Ureshi Uwasa” (The Happy Rumor; 1967). Left the “Nishino Ballet Dan” shortly after “Zero Zero Kunoichi” at the age of 21 to pursue her own acting career.

Emi Sanae was born in Shimane Prefecture in 1951. While not officially a part of the “Nishino Ballet Dan – Le Gals” group during the heyday of their popularity, she was soon “adopted” as the younger sister of the troupe which was later renamed the “Nishino Ballet Dan Go Nin Musume”. After “Zero Zero Kunoichi”, Emi soon began to make a name for herself as an actress, talent and singer. She was an assistant on the program “Shin Kon San Irasai” (Hello, Newlyweds; 1980) and appeared in movies such as “Noroi No Yakata – Chi O Su Me” – AKA “Lake of Dracula” (Toho; 1971). Under the pen name of “Nakasato Suzuru”, she wrote songs for such idols and artists as Hoe Chiemi (“Manatsu No Shojo”), Ninami Saori (“Hito Koishite”), Nakamori Akina, Shiomi Etsuko, Kayudo, Takahashi Mariko and Sawada Mariko. Emi life was tragically cut short when she died in a car accident in 1988.

Series director Takemoto Hirokazu also helmed such Tokusatsu series as “Captain Ultra” (Toei/TBS; 1967), “Spider-Man” (Toei/Marvel; 1978), “Denshi Sentai Denji Man” (Toei; 1980) and “Uchu Tetsujin Kyodaine” (Toei; 1976).

Yamada Minoru is also went on to helm such Tokusatsu series as “Kamen Rider V3” (Toei; 1973), “Inazuman” (Toei; 1974), “Dai Tetsujin 17” (Toei; 1977), “Kamen Rider Super One” (Toei; 1981) and “Cho Shin Sei Flashman” (Toei; 1986).

Takuji Katsuhiko went on to direct episodes for the series “Himitsu Sentai Go-Ranger” (Toei; 1975) and “Chojin Barom One” (Toei; 1972).

Prolific writer Tsuji Masaki has also written for such series as “Jungle Taitei” (Mushi Pro; 1966), “Ge Ge Ge No Kitaro” (Toei Doga; 1968), “Mahotsukai Sally” (Toei Doga; 1968), “Kyojin No Hoshi” (Tokyo Movie Shinsha; 1969), “Tiger Mask” (Toei Doga; 1970), “Attack No. 1” (Tokyo Movie Shinsha, 1970), “Uchu Enjin Gori Vs. Spectre Man” (P-Pro; 1971), “Cho Denji Robo Combattler V” (NET/Toei Doga; 1977) and “Tou Shou Daimos” (Y&K/TV Asahi; 1979).

Series writer Yamaura Hiroyasu also wrote for such projects as “Majou Ko Megu” (Toei; 1974), “Godzilla vs. Mecha Godzilla” (Toho; 1974), and “Densetsu Kyojin Ideon – Seshoku Hen/Hatsudo Hen” (Shochiku; 1982).

Popular Japanese stage magician Hikita Tenko is the father of the glamorous female illusionist “Princess Tenko”.